Talking Appalachian: Voice, Identity, and Community

by Amy D. Clark, Nancy M. Hayward

Overview

Tradition, community, and pride are fundamental aspects of the history of Appalachia, and the language of the region is a living testament to its rich heritage. Despite the persistence of unflattering stereotypes and cultural discrimination associated with their style of speech, Appalachians have organized to preserve regional dialects—complex forms of English peppered with words, phrases, and pronunciations unique to the area and its people. Talking Appalachian examines these distinctive speech varieties and emphasizes their role in expressing local history and promoting a shared identity.

Beginning with a historical and geographical overview of the region that analyzes the origins of its dialects, this volume features detailed research and local case studies investigating their use. The contributors explore a variety of subjects, including the success of African American Appalachian English and southern Appalachian English speakers in professional and corporate positions. In addition, editors Amy D. Clark and Nancy M. Hayward provide excerpts from essays, poetry, short fiction, and novels to illustrate usage. With contributions from well-known authors such as George Ella Lyon and Silas House, this balanced collection is the most comprehensive, accessible study of Appalachian language available today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813147437
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	08/19/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	274
Sales rank:	1,067,021
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Amy D. Clark is professor of English and co-director of the Center for Appalachian Studies at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Nancy M. Hayward is professor emeritus of English at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Historical and Geographical Overview of English
The Appalachian Range: The Limits of Language Variation in West Virginia
Think Locally: Language as a Community of Practice
African-American Appalachian English
Dialect and Education in Appalachia
Voice in the Appalachian Classroom
Silence, Voice and Identity among Appalachian Women
Language and Power
Dialects in Appalachian Literature
Voiceplace
In My Own Country
Southern Exposure
A Matter of Perception
Storming Heaven
One Foot in Eden
Hiding Ezra
Holler
Spell Check

Editorial Reviews

A sense of pride, a strong grip on old traditions, and a unique style of commonality are part of both the marvel and mystery of Appalachia. Talking Appalachia: Voice, Identity, and Community (University Press of Kentucky), edited by Amy D. Clark and Nancy M. Hayward, complies scholarly writing about this area from contributors in a variety of professional disciplines as well as Appalachian writers, including Silas House, Jane Hicks, George Ella Lyon, Ron Rash, and Lee Smith.

Knoxville News Sentinel - Ina Hughs

[] [The book] rounds out a reader's understanding of an important and identifiable characteristic of Appalachian life.

Courier-Journal

This book fills a need in college and secondary classrooms in a unique and exciting way—examining a stigmatized, regional variety that also serves as a strong indicator of in-group membership and identity for many (but not all) of its speakers through the use of both research studies and essays/literary excerpts. This is an ambitious project that will serve students, researchers, and instructors for many years to come.

Jim Michnowicz

Beginning with a historical and geographical overview of the region that analyzes the origins of its dialects, this volume features detailed research and local case studies investigating their use.... With contributions from well-known authors such as George Ella Lyon and Silas House, this balanced collection is the most comprehensive accessible study of Appalachian language available today.

Paintsville Herald

One part qualitative research, another part fiction, Talking Appalachian: Voice, Identity, and Community is an important contribution to ongoing conversations about the Appalachian region. [... ] [T]hey add fresh insight to and reiterate or refute some of the old arguments about teaching vernacular-speaking students.

West Virginia History

Talking Appalachian is a wonderful collection, challenging readers to learn about the many histories that have shaped Appalachian dialectical diversity and to gain tools to counter the linguistic chauvinism that has used Appalachian dialect as a stand-in for other powerful forms of social and economic marginalization, akin to the ways speakers of Gullah and other regional dialects have been marginalized in the U.S.. The excellent use of leading linguistic scholarship, essays, fiction and poetry in this volume makes it a powerful contribution.

Ann Kingsolver

Clark and Hayward are to be praised for assembling a well-ordered broad spectrum of conversant essays and literary pieces that stand to bring the study, understanding, and appreciation of Appalachian English(es) into a new era of cultivation.

Chris Green

Winner of the Appalachian Writers' Association Book of the Year for Poetry

From the Publisher

An intimate view of regional American language and literature.

Choice

This unique book creates an understanding and acceptance of the Appalachian vernacular as an expression of history, identity, and space. Includes bibliographies, index, and short biographies of the contributors.

Kentucky Libraries - Claudene Sproles